Learning on the Journey

What to Do When You Are Bored (To the Younger Ladies…But Ideas for Everyone!)

OK, ladies, I’m not trying to be mean here but it just is amazing to me when people complain about being bored. We live in such an interesting world and there is no way on earth I can possibly do all the wonderful things I would like to do. So here is a list of possible things to do when you are bored, just for inspiration. This is especially for those of you who aren’t married, and even for you who don’t yet have children. Don’t waste this time in your life! Use it for God!

Volunteer at a church. Call your church office. They probably have plenty of volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer at a charity.

Learn a second language.

Learn to cook.

Learn a craft, such as sewing, jewelry making, or painting.

(There are so many free online resources for learning things like these!)

Spend time with a housebound person. They become very lonely.

Visit a nursing home. Nursing homes can be intimidating, but they can be black holes of loneliness for the elderly. Ask the staff to connect you with someone who has no visits from family or friends. There are plenty of them. Elderly people can tell fascinating stories and are often full of wisdom. Sometimes their minds or ability to communicate are gone and there is no reward except for knowing that you have loved them and provided companionship.

Adopt an elderly person who is not necessarily housebound. Rake their leaves, change light bulbs, and do other tasks they are no longer able to do for themselves.

Get a job. If you have a job, get a second job. Save your money or give it to a worthy cause.

Go on a short term mission trip.

Enroll in college, trade school, or seminary/Bible school.

Spend time with God.Don’t underestimate the opportunity you have at this stage of your life to spend uninterrupted time with Jesus! It will lay the foundation for the rest of your life.

Volunteer to babysit for your pastor’s family or another young couple who may not be able to hire a sitter regularly. Don’t be offended if they don’t take you up on your offer, they will appreciate your heart all the same.

Offer to help an overwhelmed young mom (or even one that doesn’t seem overwhelmed—heh!). Maybe she needs someone to give her a hand with organizing, cleaning, or running errands.

Write encouraging notes to those who might need them.

Pray.

Grow a garden, even a collection of potted plants.

Travel.

Read biographies of great Christians and world-changers. These can be lifechanging!

Keep a journal.

Try your hand at writing fiction or poetry.

Seek out a mentor, an older Christian woman you admire. Ask her to meet with you for discipleship, or just to be available to answer questions and chat.

Basically, it boils down to two things. Love Jesus. Seek to become all that He wants you to be. And love people. Pour yourself into them. You can’t lose! And you won’t be bored either!